Villanova @ Xavier preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 10, 2018 ) Xavier 65, Villanova 89

The season's first matchup between Villanova and Xavier proved to be more of a mismatch. There is, however, a rematch Saturday as the second-ranked Wildcats visit the fourth-ranked Musketeers in a Big East showdown.

Back on Jan. 10, Villanova rolled over Xavier 89-65 behind 21 points from Phil Booth, who is currently sidelined with a broken hand, and 17 from Jalen Brunson, who earned major praise from Musketeers coach Chris Mack following the game. "You peel his face off, you'll probably have wires coming out of it," Mack said that night. "I think they're led by the best point guard in college basketball." Meanwhile, the Musketeers shot only 41.4 percent from the field and watched their three starting guards shoot a combined 6-of-28 overall in the earlier encounter with the Wildcats. Villanova enters this matchup having lost two of its last three, while Xavier has won nine in a row since losing to the Wildcats.

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox

ABOUT VILLANOVA (23-3, 10-3 Big East): Brunson has been in a 3-point shooting slump - 3-of-19 over the last three games - and had an uncharacteristic seven turnovers in Wednesday's 76-71 loss to Providence after not recording more than three in any prior game this season. Donte DiVincenzo also had an off-day versus the Friars, finishing with six points to snap a streak of 16 straight games scoring in double figures, including a career-high 30 in the previous game against Butler. Mikal Bridges had a team-high 19 points the last time out and has committed one turnover or less in 12 of his last 13 games.

ABOUT XAVIER (24-3, 12-2): The Musketeers have scored 88 or more points on six occasions during their current nine-game winning streak and poured in 102 points - a new season high - in their last game, a 12-point win over Seton Hall. Trevon Bluiett recorded 37 points and Naji Marshall had a career-high 20 points for Xavier, which shot 14-of-29 from 3-point range and a crisp 28-of-35 from the foul line. J.P. Macura has been quiet of late, surpassing his season scoring average (12.3) only once in the last six games.

TIP-INS

1. Macura made 2-of-3 3-pointers against Seton Hall after a five-game stretch in which he went 2-of-16 from the arc.

2. Bluiett has drained at least six 3-pointers in three of his last four outings.

3. After missing two games with a concussion, Villanova F Eric Paschall was 4-of-5 for eight points against Providence.

PREDICTION: Villanova 79, Xavier 77